USS Indianapolis CA-35
Lost At Sea

Name: Ralph Harris HOLLOWAY
Rank / Rating: COX-Coxswain
Service #: 641 47 61
DOB: Feb 10, 1925
From: Whitewell, TN
Parents: Robert (Bob) Richard and Violet Lamb Holloway
Went Aboard: Apr 29, 1943
Age When Ship Went Down: 20 years, 5 months, 20 days
Spouse:
Children:
Grandchildren:
Bio Submitted By: Admin
Date Posted: Jul 30, 2025

Ralph Holloway lived with his parents in Whitwell, Tennessee along with his three brothers Raym RJ, and Gerald. Ralph registered for the draft on June 30, 1942 at age 18 and went aboard Indianapolis on April 29, 1943. Just ten months later, July 30, 1945, he would lose his life in the tragic sinking.

Ralph’s parents would receive a first telegram stating their son, Ralph Holloway, was Missing In Action. A second telegram would state that Ralph was presumed dead, body not recoverable. These stark words would live with them forever. On January 1, 1961 Ralph’s father applied for a navy headstone for a memorial site at Red Hill Cemetery, Whitwell, Tennessee. Four of Ralph’s buddies from Marion County Tennessee lost their lives in the sinking of Indianapolis July 30, 1945. Clifford Cecil Owensby, F2c Andrew Jackson Holloway, S2 Thomas Hardin Jordan, S2 Aulton Newell Phillips, F2c